Lahore is undoubtedly ancient. Legend has it that it was founded by Loh, son of Rama, the hero of Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Some others think that the name means Loh-awar: a “fort strong as iron”.

Lahore came under Muslim rule in 1206 with Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and reached its glory during the Mughal period. As the Mughal power dwindled Punjab came under Sikh sway. By 1765 it stood partitioned among three chieftains, Lahna Singh, Sobha Singh and Gujar Singh. In 1799 it was captured by Ranjeet Singh. The Lahore of Sikh period has been referred to as: “a melancholy picture of a fallen splendor”.

Sikhs were finally defeated by the British and Lahore annexed to the empire. Initially the British troops were stationed at Anarkali but later moved to Mian Mir. It was this that came to be known as Lahore Cantonment and was established in 1850 by Lt. Gen Sir Charles Napier. It was a beautifully planned Cantonment with wide roads, parks and well laid-out living and unit areas. In 1968, the Cantonment limits were extended to include a large area with an overall rural complexion.

The Cantonment with this large extension become extremely difficult to manage, therefore in 1998 it was bifurcated into two Cantonments, Lahore and Walton.